Thursday, April 23, 2009

The things you see!

Riding to work is fun. Riding FOR work is even more fun. When you park your bike multiple times, there's no telling what will be next to your bike when you come back to it. Such was the case yesterday. How many can say they've come back to their bikes to find the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile parked next to it? I am now a member of that club.For whatever it's worth.

I spent Monday and Tuesday with the Boss. Since he spends a great deal of time on the cell phone, we have this arrangement. I drive and he talks on the phone. It works out anyway, as he's from Spokane and I know the local area better. The Boss is all for me using the bike for work. It is so cool to talk to him on the phone and tell him that if he needs me he'll just have to leave a message. Being on the bike, I just can't answer the phone. Where it gets tricky is when he's down and we're making calls together. I haven't figured out a good way to ease him into riding as a passenger on the bike.

"Hey, Boss! Welcome to town. Ready to ride Bitch?"

Maybe one day he'll get his own bike and we'll terrorize the town together.

I was finally on my own yesterday. Last week I'd purchased a new shield for my Arai Corsair helmet. The parts guy was close, but no cigar. I didn't notice until I got home and tried to mount the new shield. Yesterday was my first chance to get back up to Portland and exchange it. The dealer is Bob Lamphere's, the same place I bought Elvira. So far I'm impressed with their customer service. Anyone can make a mistake. There was no problem getting it corrected.

The dealer opens at 9 AM and I was there when the doors opened. What can I say? I'm an insomniac! Remember, it's a 70 some mile ride for me in commuter traffic. Getting into and out of the dealer fairly quickly, I headed across the freeway to the mall. Starbucks with hot coffee and a breakfast sandwich was calling to me. Finishing both, I emerged to find this parked next to the bike.

I've seen it a couple of times before. Or maybe there's more than one. Both times, though, it was passing me in the opposite direction on a freeway. This time it was up close and personal. Come to think of it, I hope the driver wasn't trying to tell me something! Don't you all dare, either!

By now the mall's open for business. Starbucks opens much earlier. It was interesting to see how many people stopped to take photos. I had the point and shoot small digital. The folks I saw were using their cell phones. I hung around a while but the driver hadn't emerged by the time I had to leave. It would have been cool to take a quick peek inside. Oh, well. You can take a virtual tour by clicking here.

I have to say the this is one case where DRIVING for work could be fun, too!

I can relate to all of your recent topics in a strange way. First, my scooter is down for repairs so I had to stop being a weinie and finally replace the chain on my Kawasaki. What a kick to be back on something that rocks when you roll it. Second, talk about rust. Had to get used to finding my shift points and how to manuever a heavier vehicle all over again. Third, how good it is to get my hands dirty and get in touch with my bike again so we can hit the road again. Maybe even use the bike for an upcoming new job-and get paid for it. Now wouldn't that be something